Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University is doing its part to help Ontario’s university campuses and students shrink their environmental footprints, according to the fourth annual Going Greener report released today by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

“Ontario’s universities have so many responsibilities to society, whether it’s facilitating the success of future generations, or helping protect the world in which they will succeed,” said Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson. “I am very proud of how Lakehead and Ontario’s university community has taken a leading role in environmental initiatives.”

Lakehead University’s environmental initiatives highlighted in Report:

• Its entire Orillia campus is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum standards
• The University began generating its own geothermal energy in 2012
• Moved forward with plans to install organic waste conversion system in main cafeteria
• Biorefining Research Institute continues to grow

Partnership with other universities to create Sustainability and Education Policy Network

The Going Greener report was released, today at 9:30 a.m., at a media conference at University of Toronto’s St. George campus. Offering her remarks to media and guests was COU President and CEO, Bonnie M. Patterson.

“Whether it’s protected bike racks, discount transit passes, low-flow toilets or local food at campus cafeterias, Ontario universities and their students are showing they really care about the environment,” said Patterson.

Universities also have expanded their own commitment to teaching about environmental sustainability, with 15 of 22 campuses across the province introducing new courses related to the environment in the past year.

Going Greener concludes that Ontario universities made significant progress on environmental sustainability in 2012, despite the challenges of budgetary restraints.

Going Greener Report highlights:

• Two-thirds of campuses in Ontario now have staff dedicated to environmental sustainability
• The majority of Ontario campuses measure emissions and energy consumption
• 86 per cent of campuses offer free or discounted transit passes
• More than 85 per cent of campuses have installed low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucets

Local foods are available at the majority of campuses

All Ontario university executive heads signed a sustainability pledge in 2009, called Ontario Universities: Committed to a Greener World, committing them to environmental sustainability with measurable outcomes and mandatory reporting.

The pledge, as well as further background information on previous Going Greener reports and events, can be found on the COU website (www.cou.on.ca).

Click here to view the COU’s 2012 Going Greener Report: http://www.cou.on.ca/publications/reports/pdfs/goinggreenerreport2012

 

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Media: For more information about Lakehead University’s environmental initiatives, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

 

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Principal Lori Ruberto and Dr. Ed Rawana stand in front of the Strengths in Motion board at McKellar Park Central School. McKellar was the first school in Thunder Bay to implement strength-based programs.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

A Lakehead University research team is receiving $197,942 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to investigate how cultural diversity shapes the integration of strengths-based programs in schools.

This is the first Partnership Development Grant that SSHRC has given to a team from Lakehead University. Partners include Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boreales, Lakehead Public School Board and the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board.

“Our research demonstrates that educators who use a strengths-based approach increase student success and reduce bullying,” said Dr. Ed Rawana, Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs, and Director of Lakehead’s Clinical Psychology Program.

“This approach creates a sense of optimism, hope and motivation for change in students and school personnel. Strength-based programs have also been shown to facilitate a positive school climate, increase student engagement and address classroom management issues,” Dr. Rawana added.

Strength-based programming was developed by Dr. Rawana with Dr. Keith Brownlee from Lakehead’s School of Social Work.

Lakehead Public Schools was the first board in this area to introduce strength-based programs, approximately six years ago.

“As an organization we are committed to the use of a strength-based approach,” said Cathi Siemieniuk, Lakehead Public Schools Director. “Using strength-based programming is foundational for creating safe, inclusive and respectful environments where all students are engaged in personalized learning.”

 Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boreales is also finding success with strength-based programs.

“The strength-based approach developed by Dr. Rawana is proving to be very effective in increasing students’ self-esteem and creating a positive climate in our schools,” said Sylvianne Mauro, Director of Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boreales.

The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board recently began using strength-based programs.

“The strengths-based approach reflects our core beliefs related to success for every child,” said Joan Powell, Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board Director. “Students learn to recognize and capitalize on innate characteristics that build hope, confidence and belief in self. Student achievement and well-being are impacted in a significant way.”

Dr. Umed Panu, Lakehead University’s Acting Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation), said he is proud to be a part of this important announcement.

“This SSHRC grant means our researchers can continue examining strength-based programs, which can help a young person’s self-esteem and address bullying,” said Dr. Umed Panu, Acting Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation).

Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, said he is constantly impressed at the research happening at this University.

“Bullying is an important issue that needs to be stopped. This research helps create an environment where students think and act more positively about themselves and their classmates,” Dr. Stevenson said.

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Backgrounder: An Overview of the Strengths-based Research

Dr. Ed Rawana, Dr. Keith Brownlee and affiliates of Lakehead’s Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs have employed a strengths approach for the past six years through the implementation of strength-based programs in schools, treatment and residential facilities as well as through research activities.

They have conducted academic workshops and conferences to teach strength utilization and they have worked with many community partners through research contracts, grants and projects that examine strength-based approaches.

Since 2007, the recipients of the Partnership Development Grant have had a formal partnership with Lakehead Public School Board (LPSB) to study the efficacy of school-wide strengths-based approaches and how the program relates to school learning and teaching climates.

Through an initial Ministry Of Education grant and subsequent SSHRC funding, this strength-based program was implemented in the LPSB and preliminary results suggested positive effects on the school environment, such as bullying reduction.

Currently, strengths-based programs continue to be implemented within LPSB schools.

The Lakehead Partnership Development Grant will expand the existing partnership with LPSB to also include the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique des Aurores Boreales to continue to evaluate school-wide strengths-based programs, while also considering how cultural differences impact the program.

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview with any of Lakehead University’s researchers, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

Students enrolled in Lakehead University’s newest program are set to finish their coursework this Thursday and use what they’ve learned across Canada and around the world.

The Teaching English as a Second Language certificate program requires 100 hours of in-class work and 20 hours of practicum. The in-class work finishes this week, and students are currently working to set up their practicum.

“We’re really proud of this program,” said Dr. John O’Meara, Dean of the Faculty of Education. “These students are getting a solid foundation in instructing English to new language learners.”

Dr. Donald Kerr, Chair of the Department of Professional Development in Education, said the department put a lot of work into developing the new program.

“There’s a need for certified ESL instructors, both in Thunder Bay and nationally. This program helps to meet that need, and meets our mandate of providing very high quality professional development.”

Courtney Sidsworth, a student in the program, has already spent two years teaching English overseas, and just completed her BEd in the Faculty of Education. She is thinking of going overseas again. “This program will help me get work because all the better overseas employers are looking for TESL Canada qualifications.”

Another student in the program, Jean Begin, owns The Bookshelf, a used bookstore in Thunder Bay. He says he already travels a lot, and has noticed that there’s a need for better training in English among hotel staff in many countries. He plans to travel and teach. “This program has been amazing; it’s incredible how much I’ve learned,” he said.

Both students praised their teacher, Nathan Hall. “He is inspiring by always sharing his knowledge and experience,” said Sidsworth.

“I’ve learned so much in this course about the use of technology in classrooms,” said Begin.

Once successfully completed, students will have a certificate from Lakehead University and will be able to apply to TESL Canada, a national body overseeing standards for ESL programs in Canada, for recognition of their studies.

Course instructor Nathan Hall said he is very proud of these students. “They’ve worked hard and learned a great deal. This class has been a pleasure to teach, and I think they have the tools to become exceptional ESL instructors.”

O’Meara added that the Faculty plans to run this course again in the near future.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

 

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

June 3, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

A new report by Ontario researchers – including two from Lakehead University – documents how farmers’ markets, co-ops and other sustainable food systems strengthen the economic, environmental and social health of local communities. 

Lakehead University's Dr. Mirella Stroink and Dr. Connie Nelson led a process that included interviews and in-depth consultations with representatives of more than 40 local food initiatives across Northern Ontario.

Dr. Stroink, an associate professor in Psychology, and Dr. Nelson, an associate professor in Social Work, are participants in Lakehead University’s Food Security Research Network.

Their report – called Models and Best Practices for Building Sustainable Food Systems in Ontario and Beyond – provides many insights into how farmers are connecting more directly with consumers in Northern Ontario.

“These Northern local food initiatives are inspiring for their creativity and resourcefulness. They are meeting the growing demand for local food in the face of challenges such as limited funding, a policy environment favouring the industrial food system, and the vast distances among communities in the North,” Dr. Stroink said.

Dr. Nelson added, “Our findings suggest that next steps include moving toward sustainability by enhancing local food processing, storage and market distribution for these emerging local food initiatives.”

The report is now available to the public through the Nourishing Ontario website: http://nourishingontario.ca.

It draws on work by faculty and students from Wilfrid Laurier University (led by Alison Blay-Palmer with the assistance of Phil Mount), the University of Guelph (led by Karen Landman with the assistance of Erin Nelson), Lakehead University (led by Connie Nelson and Mirella Stroink), Carleton University (led by Peter Andrée and Patricia Ballamingie), Ryerson University (led by Fiona Yeudall), York University (led Rod MacRae), the University of Toronto (led by Harriet Friedmann and Sarah Wakefield), and Mount Saint Vincent University (Irena Knezevic).

The work was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. For more information visit the SSHRC website http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

May 30, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead will graduate approximately 2,500 students during the University’s Convocation ceremonies at its Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses over the next two weeks.

In Thunder Bay, graduates, friends, family, award recipients, and honourees will celebrate achievements this Friday and Saturday at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

Local and national honourees will inspire graduates as they step into the next phase of their lives – Dr. Dermot McLoughlin, the Honourable Paul Martin, John Mason, and Lakehead’s Chancellor-elect, Dr. Derek Burney, who will be officially installed during Friday’s convocation.

“On a day when we graduate those who will transform our world, tomorrow, it is fitting that we honour those who have, and continue, to do so, today,” said Chancellor-elect Burney. “Our hope is that our graduates will be inspired by these degree recipients’ deeds and words during this, a very transformative moment in their lives.”

Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, said: “Convocation is a chance to recognize the hard work our students have put into their studies, celebrate achievements, and look toward the prosperous future that awaits every one of our graduates.”

Around 1,500 family members and friends are expected to attend the Thunder Bay campus’s three convocation ceremonies, where over 1,000 students are expected to attend.

Convocation will include the first class to graduate from Lakehead’s Aboriginal Education Program’s Honours Bachelor of Education.

Media are invited to attend the following convocation ceremonies at the Community Auditorium:

 

Friday, May 31, 2013 – 2 pm

 

• Dr. Dermot McLoughlin will address graduates and undergraduates of programs in Health and Behavioural Science and the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. McLoughlin will receive a Doctor of Science.

Dr. Dermot McLoughlin is an award-winning, community-minded staff radiologist with the Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre who takes pride in the role he has played as an Associate Professor with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and a founding NOSM board member.

 

• Lakehead’s new Chancellor, Dr. Derek Burney, will also speak to graduates after his installation.

 

Saturday, June 1, 2013 – 9:30 am

 

• The Right Honourable Paul Martin will address graduates and undergraduates of programs in Business Administration and Education. Mr. Martin will receive a Doctor of Laws.

A former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Paul Martin leads the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative that aims to reduce the high school dropout rate of Canada’s Aboriginal youth and increase the number of Aboriginal students attending post-secondary institutions.

Saturday, June 1, 2013 – 2 pm

 

• John Mason will address graduates and undergraduates of programs in Engineering, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences and Humanities. Mr. Mason will receive a Doctor of Science.

Mr. Mason, a proud Lakehead University Geology graduate (HBSc 1975), is the Project Manager-Mining Services with the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC).

Honorary Award Recipients

2013 Professors Emeriti

 

• Dr. Roger Delaney – Social Work
• Dr. J. Bruce Minore – Sociology
• Dr. Vincent Schonberger – Languages
• Professor Alain Nabarra – Languages
• Dr. Stephen Kissin – Geology
• Professor Victor Smith – History
• Dr. Ellie Prepas – Natural Resources Management

 

Young Alumni Awards

 

• Mehdi Dashtban

PhD’12

Researcher and Postdoctoral Fellow

 

• Deanna Burgart

BEng’10

Aboriginal Mentor, Speaker and Engineer

 

Alumni Honour Awards

 

• Arnold Park

BA’71, Grad Dip Bus’72

Former CEO, McCain Foods

 

• Dolores Wawia

BEd’83, Med’85

Professor of Aboriginal Education

 

Distinguished Researcher Awards

 

• Dr. Sonja Grover – Professor of Education
• Dr. Aicheng Chen – Professor of Chemistry

 

Distinguished Instructor Award

 

• Dr. Judith Leggatt – Professor of English

 

For more information about the honorary degree recipients, click here www.lakeheadu.ca/about/news-and-events/news/archive/2013/node/15563.

Several awards will be presented to students and faculty during convocation ceremonies. Media will receive a brochure listing the award winners’ names at the Community Auditorium.

Convocation will be available through live streaming on Lakehead’s website.

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Media: For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

April 1, 2013 - Orillia, ON

Two students from Lakehead University’s Orillia campus visited Kelowna, B.C. last month to represent the University at the Canadian Conference on Student Leadership, an annual event planned by students, for students. The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus hosted this year’s conference.

Lakehead Orillia students Anna Lisa Martin from Nobleton, Ontario, and Sami Pritchard of Cambridge, attended the conference along with Lakehead staff member Brenda Melick, who is responsible for student leadership programs on campus. The students were chosen to attend because of their leadership potential and their current leadership activity on campus. Martin and Pritchard are members of the University’s student ambassador team and are also involved in athletics, residence life and student union activities. 

The annual conference is an opportunity for student leaders to come together to share ideas, be inspired, and to leave determined to make a difference on their own campus and in their communities. 

During the three-day event, the students attended workshops, heard keynote speakers and met with top student leaders from all across the country. Both Martin and Pritchard were impressed by the extraordinary energy and positive environment they experienced at the conference.

“Having the opportunity to collaborate with so many different leaders from not only across Canada, but from around the world was such a unique and valuable opportunity,” said Pritchard.  “The passionate leaders I met each day both taught me and inspired me to be a better, more successful leader. It was humbling just to be in the room with such inspirational people.

For Martin, one such person was author/speaker Blake “Fly” Fleischacker, who spoke about the unique nature of university life and the lifestyle that goes with it. “He inspired me to act on my ideas and make the most of my life as a student.” Martin said another highlight was a workshop discussion focused on the many issues faced by student leaders. “I found it very surprising to hear the broad range of issues experienced at other universities and how similar they all are, and how they can be effectively resolved through our roles on campus.” Martin also had a chance to meet keynote speaker Trevor Linden, retired NHL league leader and player. “As a hockey fan, I was definitely starstruck when meeting him following his speech!”

“We want to bring all that we have learned to our campus,” said Pritchard. “I really hope that our positive energies and passions to make a difference will become contagious. My personal goal is to positively affect as many students as I can, and to one day be able to inspire others as much as I have been inspired by those I met at the conference.”

Martin added that the experience has provided her with the confidence to move forward as a leader. “Sami and I look forward to being Orientation Leaders next year and I hope that we can spread the optimism and inspiration we gained to other students, especially those new to the campus.”

“Both Anna Lisa and Sami were very fortunate to be provided with the opportunity to attend the conference and represent Lakehead University,” said Melick. “The investment in these exceptional student leaders will multiply itself many times over for Lakehead and the future communities in which these students are involved.”

Martin and Pritchard continue to network with and learn from their fellow delegates from across the country as they share ideas for planning end-of-year recognition and celebration events at the Lakehead Orillia campus.

 

Lakehead Orillia students (l to r): Sami Pritchard and Anna Lisa Martin, shown here with Lakehead staff member Brenda Melick, say they are looking forward to putting their conference-boosted enthusiasm, confidence and energy into making a difference as leaders on campus.

(March 26, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law is pleased to welcome Dr. Frances Chapman and Mr. Jason MacLean to its founding faculty. These appointments officially complete the Faculty’s first year hires.

“Both of our new faculty bring with them solid legal practice credentials and strong scholarship — exactly what we need," said the Faculty of Law’s Dean, Lee Stuesser. "In a small school that emphasizes teaching, they will be excellent in the classroom. We’re thrilled to have them as part of our founding team."

Dr. Frances Chapman comes to us from St. Jerome’s University – University of Waterloo, where she established a strong reputation for her classroom teaching as an Assistant Professor in the Legal Studies program since 2009, and a contract lecturer since 2007.

Dr. Chapman was admitted to the Bar in 2002 after having completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Western Ontario. Following a couple of years in private practice with the London firm of Cohen Highly LLP in (2003-2005), she returned to complete her LL.M. before moving on to Osgoode Hall, York University, where she obtained her Ph.D. in 2009.  Her research interests lie in the area of criminal defence.

Dr. Chapman has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the William Z. Estey Fellowship in Law and the UW Legal Studies Society Distinguished Professor Award 2012.

Mr. Jason MacLean is presently a senior litigation associate at the national law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Toronto, where he has practiced since 2008. Before joining Osler, Mr. MacLean clerked for Justice Marie Deschamps at the Supreme Court of Canada. Prior to that he worked as an associate at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP in New York City. Mr. MacLean was called to the Bar in both New York State and the Province of Ontario.

Mr. MacLean received an Honours B.A. in Anthropology from St. Francis Xavier University in 1994, graduating with the Governor General’s Medal. He went on to complete a M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Toronto in 1995, and completed the requirements (ABD) for his Ph.D. in Sociology from U of T in 2000. Mr. MacLean graduated with a joint B.C.L. / LL.B. from the McGill University Faculty of Law in 2006. His research interests include Environmental and Natural Resources Law, Corporate Law (particularly Corporate Social Responsibility and Anti-Corruption), Property Law and Legal Education.

Mr. MacLean is also a former Legal Consultant to the Expert Panel on Securities Regulation and the Canadian Securities Transition Office (2008-2010), a contributing editor of the Global Competition Litigation Review, and the Constitutional and Administrative Law editor of the Toronto Law Journal. Mr. MacLean has received numerous awards and has authored over 20 articles.

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law, Ontario’s first new Law School in 42 years, will open its doors to its first class of students in September 2013. 

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Media:For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

 

May 13, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

 

Lakehead University is hosting a reception to honour its 7^th Chancellor, Dr. Arthur Mauro, today, from 5:00 – 6:30 pm, in the Office of the President.

Lakehead President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, will thank Dr. Mauro on behalf of the University community for the years of service he gave to the institution. Dr. Mauro’s three year term as Chancellor of Lakehead University ended on December 31, 2012.

Respected for his numerous career- and community-based accomplishments, Dr. Mauro’s leadership in furthering Lakehead University's initiatives includes his role in establishing Lakehead’s new Faculty of Law. He believes that accomplishment is indicative of the critical role of the University in Northwestern Ontario and Canada.

Born in Thunder Bay on February 15, 1927, prominent lawyer and businessman, Dr. Arthur V. Mauro, OC, OM, studied law at the University of Manitoba before being called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1953. He practiced law until 1969, specializing in transportation and communication law.

In 1967, Dr. Mauro was appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission on Northern Transportation, and in 1969 became a senior executive with Great Northern Capital Corporation. From 1972 to 1976, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Transair Limited, and joined the Investors Group in 1976 to become its President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman. He served as Chancellor of the University of Manitoba from 1991-2000 and is Chair Emeritus of the Winnipeg Airport Authority.  


Dr. Mauro received an Honorary Doctor of Commerce degree from Lakehead University in 1997. In 1987, Dr. Mauro was made a Member of the Order of Canada and was later promoted to Officer in 1992. In 2004 he was awarded the Order of Manitoba.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University scientists will receive more than $1.899 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for ground-breaking research projects relating to forestry, the consequences of environmental change, mining, and more.

NSERC grants support excellence in research at Canada’s universities. Twenty-one NSERC grants have been awarded to Lakehead professors to support their research.

These researchers will also receive $395,500 from partners.

“These incredible projects will one day change the world,” said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson. “This innovative research once again affirms how Lakehead is meeting our goals of nurturing discovery, innovation, and scholarship,” he said.

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation), said the NSERC grants recognize the world-class research happening at Lakehead University. “Our researchers will be able to pursue their important work with this support,” Dr. Wang said.

Dr. Abdelhamid Tayebi, an Electrical Engineering Professor, will receive an Individual Operating Grant of $225,000 and a Discovery Accelerator Supplements Program grant of $120,000 over three years for his research on Autonomous Navigation Systems Design for Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The Discovery Accelerator Supplement (DAS) Program provides substantial and timely resources to a select group of researchers in Canada whose proposals suggest and explore high-risk, novel, or potentially transformative concepts and lines of inquiry, and are likely to make an impact by contributing to ground-breaking advances in the area. The DAS Program recognizes superior research that is highly rated for originality and innovation.

“It’s great to receive these grants. Discovery grants are very prestigious and have become extremely competitive in the last few years,” Dr. Tayebi said, adding that this allows students and post-doctoral fellows to participate in advanced research and help further this work.

Dr. Tayebi’s research system will fly vehicles into dangerous or hostile environments to perform a specific task – for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle could fly into a forest fire to determine where the blaze is located.

Dr. Doug Morris, Biology Professor and Lakehead University Research Chair, Northern Studies, will receive a Discovery Grant of $250,000 over five years for his research on the Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of habitat selection. Dr. Morris’ research project aims to predict future ecological and evolutionary consequences of environmental changes, including effects caused by humans.

Understanding climate change and its effect on animals in the Artic is important for Canada’s future. “It’s crucial to our future that we know what’s happening with the dynamics of these species in northern Canada,” Dr. Morris said.

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Backgrounder

2013 Lakehead University NSERC Grant Recipients

Discovery Accelerator Supplements Grant

Dr. Abdelhamid Tayebi (Electrical Engineering), $120,000 (three years)
Autonomous navigation systems design for vertical takeoff and landing - unmanned aerial vehicles

 

Collaborative Research and Development Grants

 

Dr. Gautam Das (Physics), $117,756 (three years) (plus $117,500 in cash support from industry).
Detection and quantification of nitrous oxide gas from Agriculture fields

Co-applicants:

Dr. Mario Tenuta, University of Manitoba and Dr. Andrew Black, University of British Columbia

 

Collaborators:

Dr. G. Stewart, University of Strathclyde and T. S. Sahota, Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station

Partner organization: 

Agrium

 

 

Dr. Pedram Fatehi (Chemical Engineering), $240,000 (four years) (plus $120,000 cash from industry).
Production of value-added products of kraft lignin

Collaborator:

Dr. Michael Paleologou, FPInnovations

Partner organization: 

FPInnovations

 

 

Dr. Peter Hollings (Geology), $90,825 (two years) (plus $100,000 from industry)
Tectonic setting and magmatic fertility of igneous rocks associated with porphyry mineralization, British Columbia, Canada

Collaborators:

Dr. David Cooke, University of Tasmania, Dr. Jamie Wilkinson, Imperial College of London)

 

Partner organizations:

AMIRA International, Teck Resources Ltd., and Roca Mines Inc.

 

 

Dr. Wilson Wang (Mechanical Engineering), $116,000 (three years) (plus $58,000 cash from partner).
Online condition monitoring of turbine pump stations

Partner organization: 

City of Thunder Bay Bare Point Water Treatment Plant.

 

 

Discovery Grants – Individual Operating Grant

 

Dr. Qing-Lai Dang (Natural Resources Management), $125,000 (five years)
Responses of boreal trees to global change: acclimate, migrate or disappear?

 

Dr. Richard Khoury (Software Engineering), $75,000 (five years)
Microtext processing

 

Dr. Douglas Morris (Biology), $250,000 (five years)
Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of habitat selection

Also receiving a Northern Research Supplement, Dynamics of habitat and habitat selection by lemmings under climate change, $100,000 (over five years).

 

Dr. Samuel Pichardo (Electrical Engineering/ Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute), $105,000 (five years)
Software development program for the fast prototyping of applications of focused ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance imaging

 

 

Dr. Abdelhamid Tayebi (Electrical Engineering), $225,000 (five years)
Autonomous navigation systems design for vertical takeoff and landing - unmanned aerial vehicles

 

Dr. Mohammad Uddin (Electrical Engineering), $24,000 (one year)

Intelligent Controller Based Cost-Effective, and Efficiency Optimized High Performance Motor Drives

 

Dr. Marina Ulanova (Faculty of Medicine – NOSM West Campus), $30,000 (one year)
Role of NOD-like receptors in the innate immune recognition of pathogenic bacteria

 

Dr. Lingyun (Lily) Wu (Health Sciences/ Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute), $30,000 (one year)

Micro RNA-regulated methylgyoxal metabolism in vascular endothelial cells

 

Dr. Yu Xia (Business), $110,000 (five years)
Large-scale symmetric cone programming with applications in mine planning

 

 

 

 

Discovery Grant – Team

 

Dr. Ingeborg Zehbe (Biology/Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute), $30,000 (one year)

Engineering Nanoparticulate RNA Interference Molecules to Target Human Papillomavirus Variants

 

Co-applicant:

Dr. Helen Burt, University of British Columbia

 

Research Tools and Instruments Grants

 

Dr. Han Chen (Natural Resources Management), $29,377 (one year)

Minirhizotron system to study fine root demographic processes

 

 

Dr. Qing-Lai Dang (Natural Resources Management), $46,043 (one year)

Gas exchange system for plant ecophysiology

 

 

ENGAGE Program

 

Dr. Pedram Fatehi (Chemical Engineering), grant for $25,000 (six months)

Production of Furfural and Hydroxymethyl Furfural from the Hemicelluloses Dissolved in the spent liquor of TMP process

 

Partner Organization:

Resolute Forest Products

 

 

Regional Opportunities Fund Program

 

Bruce Holm (Economic Development and Innovation Office), $3,650 (one month)

Industry/Researcher Connector Event

 

 

Dr. Alla Reznik (Physics/TBRRI), $5,000 (three months)

Innovations in Radiation Medical Imaging Detectors

 

 

Interaction Grants Program

 

 

Dr. Qin Wensheng (Biology), $1,750 (two months)
Isolation and Characterization of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria in Treatment of Gold Mine Drainage

 

Partner Organization:

Musselwhite Mine Goldcorp Inc.

 

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview with any of Lakehead University’s researchers, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lkehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

May 7, 2013 – Orillia, ON

The Chair of the Board of Governors of Lakehead University, Cameron Clark, is proud to announce that Toronto dentist, Dr. Robert Bennett, will be named a Fellow of Lakehead University in recognition of his important contribution to help establish and grow the Orillia campus.

This will be the first time the title of Fellow is bestowed upon someone who has contributed to Lakehead Orillia.

“He has provided advice to members of the Mayor’s Task Force, two Lakehead University presidents, the Orillia Campus Dean, and other members of the University faculty and staff on how best to rally external support, both financially and politically,” said Clark.

Dr. Bennett became involved in the development of the campus in 2004. His can-do attitude, extensive experience with Ontario post-secondary education, as well as his private and public relationships in education, made Dr. Bennett an asset to the Mayor’s Task Force that brought a university to the City of Orillia.

Dr. Bennett brought knowledge and experience from 20 years as a member of the University of Toronto’s Governing Council, U of T’s College of Electors and U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry Alumni Association.

Lakehead President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, congratulated Dr. Bennett, saying, “On behalf of a grateful University, I wish to thank him for his hard work and counsel that helped bring Lakehead to Orillia. His tremendous contributions are appreciated by Lakehead and the County of Simcoe.”

Dr. Bennett said he was moved by the announcement. “I was very humbled that Orillia's community leaders would nominate me for this honour.”

A Fellow of the University is someone who has contributed to the growth, development, and well-being of Lakehead. Dr. Bennett can attend and speak as a non-voting member at Board of Governors meetings, he will have the right to participate in Convocation ceremonies, wear designated academic regalia at special University events, as well as other special privileges.

The Fellow title will be bestowed upon Dr. Bennett on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at 10 am during Lakehead’s Convocation Ceremony at Rotary Place in the West Orillia Sports Complex.

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MEDIA:  For more information and interview opportunities, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca